Praise for support

Gaffer looking for winning formula

There will be far fewer Wolves fans in Stadium MK tonight than when the team first visited MK Dons and celebrated a 1-0 win just over two years ago.

But Kenny Jackett remains just as appreciative of the 1,300 supporters making the trip for tonight’s game, and says Wolves will be just as determined to produce a winning result.

"That was certainly a one-off,” Jackett says of the previous visit enroute to the Sky Bet League One title.

“It was a fantastic build-up and the Wolves supporters saw it through.

"And we got the win which helped us considerably at that time.

"They’re now fighting for their lives, their first year in the Championship.

"They won’t want to give that status up easily, they’ll be fighting for everything.

“Every Championship game is a difficult one and every Championship game is a competitive one.

“You come up against different situations and for us it is about finding a winning formula whatever the challenge.

"I firmly believe in concentrating on our own team and it’s our determination to put on a performance that can earn points on Tuesday night."

To get the right result Jackett acknowledges that Wolves will have to play more like they did at Burnley on the last away trip rather than Ipswich on Saturday.

“I’m scratching my head slightly as to why we couldn’t get going,” he says of the weekend’s game.

“I totally understand (the frustration from the fans).

“I see a good attendance, and they’ll react from what they see on the pitch.

“That frustration is shared by me.

“And that can change only by performances on the field.

“As the game’s going on, it’s tight at the start but there’s an expectancy that it can open up, particularly in that second period attacking our main end (the South Bank).

“The big thing is the supporters come out in their numbers – the MK Dons game is another good example and 1,300 is a fantastic attendance.

“The backing’s been good and the numbers have been good.”

And Jackett is keen to balance the recent solid foundations – one goal conceded in three games – with a more creative and clinical display at the other end of the pitch.

He added: "We’ve had a run of draws and while we don’t want to undo things at the back we do want to get better going forward, as a side, create more chances and look more potent.

"We’re not right where we want to be. We want to be creating more chances, and when we’re at our best we do pass the ball very well.

"The back four has been settled and is in quite a good place.

"Carl Ikeme has steadily improved as the season has gone on, and Jack Price coming in has helped us defensively as well.

"We don’t want to draw 0-0 at home, we want to be attacking and create chances, and we didn’t create enough on Saturday.

"We’ve just drawn three games. It’s nice to not get beaten.

"The run we’re on where every game has been tight and could have gone either way, they’re a feature of this time of the year.

"There aren’t that many open, entertaining games.

“Sides are scrapping wins out, a lot of draws or won by the odd goal, and a lot settled by set pieces.

"And particularly when you look around at the pitches that aren’t the best.

"Since I’ve been here we’ve passed the ball, and passed it well.

"In terms of our identity we are a passing club and a passing team, there have just been times where we haven’t been quite good enough to impose that on the opposition."

In terms of selection, Mike Williamson is still at least a week away with his hamstring injury but the good news is that Dave Edwards is expected back in the squad either tomorrow or against Blackburn on Saturday.

“It’s a credit to Dave and how much dedication he’s got to the sport,” said Jackett.

“He’s got Wales to think of as well and he’s very determined - he’s worked hard and got back quicker than expected.

“He has been a good leader for us since I have been here and there is an overlap between him playing and us getting a winning formula – he is a good player to have around and his attitude is fantastic.”